Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Ronniej · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 10:38 am Post subject: AGE RELATED NUMBERS

I am helping a friend with the restoration of a 1928 car.
The restoration is in its final stages and we are now about to apply for a registration number.
The car originally had a two letter / two digit number but this was taken from it many years ago and is now currently on a prestige car. There is therefore no prospect of recovering the original number.
The purpose of this enquiry is not how to go about being allocated an “Age Related” number. We have a lot of original paperwork and we think we should manage this with the help of the relevant club.
What we are concerned about is the nature of the number the car may be allocated by DVLA.
The DVLA website states a number “appropriate to the age of the car” will be issued which sounds reassuring but does not agree with a lot of anecdotal information about pre-war cars being allocated totally inappropriate numbers. I have personal knowledge of a pre-war Morris 8 (not mine!) that was issued with one with 3 leading digits, a format which was not used until sometime in the ‘50s. However this was some time ago and perhaps DVLA have better policies now.
Do any members have recent experience of getting an age related number?
Is there any prospect of being issued a 2 letter 4 digit number which would have been the most usual at the time?
In case anyone doubts my motives I am well aware that the number issued will be non-transferrable and there is no intention of obtaining a desirable number for selling on.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22784 Location: UK

I would imagine that you'd get something appropriate. The Dodge car (1924) acquired a two-letter, four-digit, number when it was registered not that long ago.

RJ
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Ronniej · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 1:04 pm Post subject:

That's reassuring Rick. I would be interested in hearing what experience others have had. The car is magnificent by the way. It shows how dated the Model T had become by the mid-twenties.

mikeC · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 6:24 pm Post subject:

You should get a two letter / four digit number. Obviously DVLA are running out of suitable numbers, and three or four years ago restricted this style to pre-1930 cars; as you say, post 1930 cars are being issued with a 1950s style three numbers / three letters id. I have been unable to fathom why DVLA has apparently run out of the thirties style three letters / three numbers variants, but that seems to be the case.

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4858 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7109 Location: Derby

The DVLA have lately been tightening up on the rules dealing with age related numbers because the system has been abused by some individuals. DVLA decisions are often difficult to fathom out but you may find the following debate between like minded enthusiasts illuminating if not helpful.

http://pub25.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=2099944454&msgid=994876&cmd=show&frmid=5

ka · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 600 Location: Orkney.

Many age related plates, two letter then numbers, start with BS. This was the prefix for Orkney and Shetland, and as you can imagine, in the period there were not that many vehicles registered up here.
_________________
KA

Better three than four.

mikeC · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 9:29 am Post subject:

The current series DVLA are issuing are BF numbers, originally allocated to Staffordshire, but withdrawn because the initials caused offence at the time!

Ronniej · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:55 am Post subject:

Ashley · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1426 Location: Near Stroud, Glos

Down here in the wilds of Gloucestershire, BF was a common insult when I was a child, so it's understandable. There were lots of gay people in Edwardian times who were not gay as it is now known too. Rolling Eyes

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4236 Location: South Cheshire

I suppose the DVLA release the age related numbers that they are unlikely to sell for a decent price at auction, hence the "less desired" combinations and loads with the letters "U & Y" in .....The MGA was issued with "YUN" a couple of years ago, unlikely to match anyone initials!!

Dave

Ronniej · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 8:16 am Post subject:

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22784 Location: UK

From what I hear, more and more applications for age-related and new registrations, involve an inspection of the vehicle by a DVLA bod, even where dating certificates have been provided by a relevant club and so on. So that may be required - it'll be interesting to hear if that's the case with your friend's car.

RJ
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Rick - Admin
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ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4236 Location: South Cheshire

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22784 Location: UK